Relationship between delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase genotypes and heme precursors in lead workers

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between genotypes of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) dehydratase (ALAD) and disturbances in the heme biosynthetic pathway by lead exposure. The subjects were 192 male lead workers and 125 control subjects. Blood lead concentrations (Pb...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of industrial medicine 2000-09, Vol.38 (3), p.355-360
Main Authors: Sakai, T, Morita, Y, Araki, T, Kano, M, Yoshida, T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
heme
porphobilinogen synthase
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Summary:The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between genotypes of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) dehydratase (ALAD) and disturbances in the heme biosynthetic pathway by lead exposure. The subjects were 192 male lead workers and 125 control subjects. Blood lead concentrations (Pb-B), plasma ALA concentrations (ALA-P), and ALAD genotypes were determined for all subjects. In lead workers, ALAD activity, ALA in urine (ALA-U), and erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin (ZP) were also determined. The frequency of ALAD2 (minor type of ALAD allele) was calculated to be 0.087 in all subjects. No significant relationship was found between ALAD2 frequency and Pb-B levels in lead workers. ALAD1 homozygotes showed significantly higher levels of ZP and ALA-P in comparison with those of ALAD2 carriers at Pb-B levels more than 20 mu g/dL and 40 mu g/dL, respectively. ALAD1 homozygotes might be more susceptible than ALAD2 carriers to disturbances in heme metabolism caused by lead exposure.
ISSN:0271-3586
DOI:10.1002/1097-0274(200009)38:3<355::AID-AJIM17>3.3.CO;2-Y